THE FOREST SECRET

Indulgent Jungle Lodge

Along the edge of the Nagarhole wildlife sanctuary, lies ‘The Forest Secret’ – a jungle safari unhotel in the pristine solitude of Kabini. Just four hour’s drive from Bangalore – this affordable luxury lodge is ensconced in the midst of nature. A weekend getaway, a forest hideout and indulgent jungle joy all rolled into one.

Accommodation

Opening out onto views of the picturesque horizon are four luxury rooms with private balconies. They are thoughtfully designed to ensure your every comfort while mindful of leaving the nature that surrounds you unblemished. Amplifying the stunning beauty of the jungle close by are our glamping tents – one of it’s kind in Kabini. The tents also come with a private deck and an open bath tub for a touch of romance and adventure to your jungle getaway.

Jungle Safari

With experienced rangers in tow, our jungle safaris take you on a guided tour into Kabini’s many nooks and crannies. Atop a vehicle designed to give you the best possible views of the wildlife that emerges around you, a wide range of jungle inhabitants come calling. Look out for large herbivores – elephants, bisons, sambars and bonnet macaques. In case you get lucky you will get to see one of the predators as well – the tiger, leopard, panther or the wild dog. Then there are over 250 species of birds endemic to the region that nest in the foliage.

Boat Safari

A trip out on the river has you floating in the midst of two National parks flanking the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. With Nagarhole on one side and Bandipur on the other, their inhabitants step out onto these banks to quench their thirst. While herds of elephants, deer, bison and even the mighty cats come out for a drink, the reservoir’s most frequent visitors are marsh crocodiles and water birds like herons, kingfishers, cormorants, spot-billed ducks and many more.

Wildlife in Kabini

During summers our dense wildlife population is drawn to the lush meadows on the fringes of the reservoir and its flowing waters. Forming a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve across the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, Kabini is home to the largest congregation of Asiatic elephants in the world. With Karnataka boasting of the highest population of tigers in the country, these jungles are every wildlife enthusiast’s haven. The vibrant forests are teeming with leopards, panthers, sloth bears, wild dogs, chital, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelopes, langurs and bison, to name a few.

SUSTAINABILITY

As good jungle denizens, we try our best to leave only the smallest footprint, finding ways to go back and wipe our tracks clean. We are an eco-friendly Unhotel that practices sustainable hospitality and low-impact tourism. Working in tandem with local communities, we strive to achieve true sustainability with annual plantings of endemic flora to maintain the crucial biodiversity of our home.

The Forest Secret uses renewable energy sources wherever possible. Our kitchen waste is consumed in a biogas plant and the naturally-obtained methane is used for all our cooking. We take every care to put in more than what we take out by recharging our groundwater tables and engaging a reverse osmosis system that provides potable water at low-energy expenditure. With our eyes to the future, we do our bit everyday so that our children may also wander wonderstruck under a canopy of trees, enjoying fresh, unpolluted air.

WHAT’S UNHOTEL ABOUT IT

A unique luxury safari lodge with glamping accommodation in one of the most beautiful forests of the country. An eco-friendly lodge with unhotel aesthetics, great comfort and delicious food.

WHO IS IT FOR?

People looking for a luxury weekend getaway in the midst of nature. Whose idea of a relaxed holiday is getting closer to flora and fauna. The ones who prefer jungle safaris over more urban adventures.

WHO IS IT NOT FOR?

People who find it hard to leave their digital addiction behind. And the ones not particularly fond of wildlife or adventure, they can give ‘The Forest Secret’ a pass!